by Nina Walker
I take the box into my room and open the card first. The handwriting is unfamiliar and perfect, but it’s the words that make me sick.
I have your mother. If you ever want to see her again, wear this dress to the riverboat casino tonight. Be there by eight.
There’s no signature.
I scream in frustration and tear open the box. Inside is a black and gold flapper-style beaded party dress and shoes in my size. There’s even jewelry to match. The only person who’s ever done anything like this is Adrian-freaking-Teresi! I don’t want to believe he’d take my mom but that makes me a fool. Of course he would. I’m still not sure why but there’s got to be a reason. He told me he’ll always do what’s best for him and not for me. He warned me. I should have listened the first time. There’s no time to debate this though. I’m going to have to save my mom––story of my life––so I pick up the phone and call Pops.
“This is Eddie.”
I take a deep breath and try to steady my voice so it’s not as frantic as I feel. “Hi, Eddie. It’s Eva. I’m so sorry, but I can’t come to work tonight. I’m having a family emergency.”
He takes a long pause and suddenly I’m all too aware that even though he likes me, and even though he’s had my back at work, he’s my boss and he has a job to do here. “Are you sure you can’t come?”
“I promise to make it up to you. I have no choice.”
“You’re putting me in a bad position here, Eva. Cami is out on maternity leave and Tennison is on vacation. If you don’t show up I’ll be understaffed.”
“I’m so sorry.” My voice cracks and tears burst from my eyes. Pops is always busy––being understaffed is a nightmare. I hate to disappoint anyone.
“Alright,” his tone is unreadable. “Come in early for your next shift so we can talk about this face to face.”
He hangs up, and as much as I’m worried about my only source of income and that I might have just lost my job, that is not my biggest problem. With shaky hands, I wipe away the tears and change into the dress.
The pier is crowded tonight. A sleek banner hangs across the ferry indicating it’s been specially booked for a Roaring Twenties themed fundraising event. Who books a vampire casino boat for an event? Our city’s mayor, Robyn Cox, that’s who. All of the government is in bed with the vampires, they can’t even help it, and the whole thing makes me want to scream. But I don’t. I smile like a good little girl and give the person checking names at the door mine. She lets me right in without asking about my age. The laws are a joke anyway. The vamps already had the drinking age dropped. It’s only a matter of time until the gambling age is lowered, too. It’s been the big push during the last election cycle and nobody will be surprised when it happens.
The Roaring Twenties theme is carried throughout the boat to the max. All the decor is in metallic gold and inky black, reminding me of The Alabaster Heart’s design. People are dressed up in gorgeous vintage frocks and suits and it’s as if we’ve been transported back in time. My own dress hangs loosely just below my knees, the gold and black beads sparkling under the lights. I hate that I fit right in with the decor, like a prop. A full band plays lively big-band music and part of the casino floor has been cleared out for dancing. Waitstaff amble through the crowds with trays of hors d’oeuvres and glasses of bubbly champagne.
It’s still a little light out so the vampires haven’t arrived yet, but the pier isn’t far from The Alabaster Heart and I know they’ll be here soon. I want to find my mom and get us out of here, but I don’t have much time to do that since the boat will be disembarking soon. And anyway, she’s probably going to show up with Adrian.
I circle the room, avoiding making eye contact with anyone because I’m not in the mood for conversation and I shouldn’t even be here. It’s not like the mayor invited me. I’m not the least bit tempted by alcohol or gambling, unlike all of the adults. Quite a few of the young women hang off of older men, and I wonder if they’re paid call girls. I wouldn’t be surprised. Vampires have their fingers in everything seedy along with constantly meddling with the law, politics, and real estate to gain more control.
I spot the mayor standing at one of the craps tables. Wearing a sophisticated black dress, she blows on dice, throwing them to the table. She’s not even playing, she’s the “good luck” girl. Everyone screams and raises their hands––of course she just secured a win. I’ve never seen her in person before, only in political campaigns that I’ve barely paid attention to. I think I had better start paying attention. These people are going to ruin New Orleans even more than they already have.
The sunset finally gives way to darkness and we’re joined by a procession of vampires. They’re welcomed with open arms. Most people swarm them. I know that many want to be close to their enigmatic force, it’s a pull the vampires have to their prey. They may look like us, but they aren’t us, and to lose sight of that is deadly. To see vampires and humans mixing so easily makes my toes curl.
I stay far back and watch for my mother.
Adrian Teresi descends on the boat like some kind of God and I want to go slap him. It’s impossible to leave a red mark on a vamp but I’m mad enough that I think I may be able to be the first. Kelli trails close behind her boss, and the mayor rushes over to them like they’re all old friends. He smiles in his wicked way that is unique to him, and the two chat it up. Should I go over there and confront him? I’m not sure that’s a good idea, and I don’t see my mother anyway. So where is she? Is he hiding her somewhere? Kelli must feel my eyes boring into them because she spots me and her face goes slack. She whispers something in Adrian’s ear. He looks up, and when he catches my gaze, I can feel him like an electrical energy pulse. A flash of confusion crosses his features. He seems upset that I’m here, which is odd considering he sent the note.
Didn’t he?
My body goes cold as I realize Adrian isn’t behind Mom’s kidnapping. As if on cue, Hugo glides into the room with an older red-headed woman perched on his arm. She’s classically beautiful and completely enamoured by the man. She’s also human. And my mother.
The world tilts off its axis. What is he doing with her? How does he even know who she is? He leans down and kisses her gently on the mouth. My mother, kissing a vampire. I never thought I’d see the day. But then, I don’t really know her like I thought I did. And that’s a dull knife right into my heart.
I can’t move. I can’t breathe. All I can do is watch in horror.
The crowd thickens and I lose sight of them. The engines rumble to life. The boat starts to move away from the dock. Someone walks onto the little stage with the band and speaks into the microphone to introduce the mayor. Like a true politician, Robyn Cox glides up onto the stage as if it’s the most comfortable place on earth for her to be. She smiles down at us, her perfectly styled short black hair and brown eyes shining under the lights.
“Thank you all for coming!” Everyone cheers, and she jumps into an impassioned speech about improving the city and the importance of vampire-human relations. This is a fundraiser event for her own campaign, so of course everyone here already supports her and is eating it up like a kid with a bucket full of Halloween candy. “And I’m excited to announce that the bill to lower the gambling age will be taken to Capitol Hill during the next session and all our projections indicate it will pass.” More cheers. My cheeks burn at that. She’s supposed to be helping her constituents, not feeding them to the vampires! When she points to the police commissioner and he cheerily holds up a glass of champagne to acknowledge her, I’ve had enough.
I edge my way along the crowd, trying to get closer to Hugo and my mom. The mayor says something about him and he leaves my mother standing by the side of the stage to go speak into the microphone. I still don’t understand why Hugo would want me here. What’s he going to do to Mom? My mind flashes to the quick and ruthless way he murdered that woman the other night and how Adrian sucked up the mess. Bile burns my throat with the hateful words I’m dying to
scream.
“Thank you, Robyn.” His cruel energy blankets the room. Or maybe I’m the only one who thinks he’s cruel? Others look up at Hugo like he’s some kind of savior. “As the co-chair of the VEC and the head of the government relationships board on behalf of the North American vampires, I’ve had a lot of experience on these matters. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we keep our lines of communication open. The last thing anyone wants is a war.” He winks and the crowd quiets. His tone is all business, but his words are a threat. Do they see it now? Do they sense his cruelty like I do? “We need each other. This is a two-way relationship,” he continues his speech. “And my brother and I will stop at nothing to ensure the best quality of life for vampires and humans.”
I’m only a few paces from Mom. She’s gazing adoringly up at Hugo like he’s the sun in winter. Shouldn’t she be hiding from the mafia right now? I clasp her hand in mine and whisper in her ear. “Hey, Mom, can you come with me?”
She turns and blinks at me, her eyes confused. “Evangeline, what are you doing here?”
I shake my head and tug her backward. Luckily, for once in her stubborn life, she follows. We move to the farthest edge of the room so that we can whisper without drawing attention from Hugo’s speech. Every once in a while his eyes flick over to us. He’s not mad that I’ve found her. Triumph sparkles in his eyes. This is all a game to him––one I don’t know the rules to.
“What are you doing here with Hugo? He’s a vampire.”
She blinks at me, confused. “Umm––no, he’s not. Hugo’s my date.”
“How do you know him?”
“Umm––” More confusion. “We met at––umm––I know him from––” Her voice trails off. She doesn’t know because she’s clearly been compelled to believe something that doesn’t exist. She’s not afraid, she’s still sending adoring looks in Hugo’s direction, but it’s obvious he’s brought her here as bait for me. She’s a pawn and she doesn’t even know it.
“Aren’t you supposed to be hiding from the mafia?” I whisper-hiss. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for days. They’re going to hurt me if you don’t pay Armondo.”
She blinks rapidly and a knot seems to untangle in her mind. “Oh, I’d forgotten.” Fear mars her features and her hand presses against her chest. “I can’t believe I forgot. I don’t know how I could have. I’m so sorry, Evangeline. I’m working on it. I almost got the money, I swear.” She opens the little purse on her shoulder. There’s a wad of cash shoved inside. “See, I used what was left of the sock-money and got someone else to lend me some more and I just need to take some of this and win a few hands and we’ll be free and clear.”
I blink at her. “You took that money from my room? And now you think gambling it away is a good idea right now?”
“You don’t understand. I’m out of time. I’m desperate.”
Oh, I think I understand desperation.
Hugo finishes his speech, the crowd cheers, and then everyone disperses to chat or play or dance or whatever people do at these things. Meanwhile, Adrian stays centered in the room, connecting with acquaintances, but his bright blue eyes never stray from me for long. The last time I was on this boat with him, he also used my mother as a pawn. And then he killed a man. I can’t forget it. I’ve been too lax around him since the blood vow, but I need to remember who he really is. What he really is.
Hugo appears. I can smell the blood on him from here. My stomach knots. I hope he hasn’t been feeding on my mother. She doesn’t have any bite marks and that would be illegal. “I see you got my invitation.”
“Unfortunately. What are you doing with my mother? Do you even know her?”
He runs a finger across her cheek. “She was easy to find. I have contacts everywhere.”
She peers up at him adoringly, but with a question in her eyes. “You found me?”
He chuckles low. “Sorry, doll, I don’t actually know you. We’re not together. A little compulsion to get you here was all I needed.” She goes rigid, and he stares at her with a little smile on his lips. “Don’t be afraid.” His voice sounds different. Deeper. Certain.
Wrong.
She instantly relaxes, the fear melting like butter. To see how quickly and powerfully his compulsion works is unlike anything I’ve witnessed before. I step back, terrified for my mother, for every human on this boat.
“So what’s really going on here, Hugo?”
“I’ll explain it all in time, don’t worry.” He ushers my mom toward the gaming tables, and I follow. “First, there’s someone else here that I think we need to have a little talk with.”
We approach the roulette table. The wheel spins, the little white ball dancing across the numbers. Around the table, gamblers are busy placing their bets. The ones who want to take the biggest risk but possibly gain the biggest reward bet on the numbers. The ones who want to play it safe bet on the outside edges, on the even and odds, and mainly black or red.
A middle aged gentleman in a pinstripe suit and bowler hat turns to us and addresses Hugo. “You delivered the goods.”
“I always do. I hope we can call this even for what my brother did to your man, Paulo.”
That name rings in my ear. Paulo. Who’s Paulo? Then I remember he’s the gambler Adrian killed right in front of me. Apparently, he was also a mobster.
Mom stumbles back.
“Uh oh,” Hugo chuckles, “care to introduce our mutual friend to your daughter?”
Mom shakes her head, and her eyes go round as marbles.
“I can introduce myself,” the man says. When he smiles, an old scar on his left eyebrow cuts deep into his face. He’s a large guy with a sinister energy and a depth to his eyes made by years of corruption. He sticks out a thick hand with a big gold ring on one of the fingers. “I’m pleased to finally meet you, Eva. I’m Armondo.”
Chapter 29
“Your mother loves to gamble, doesn’t she Eva?” Armondo continues. “So why don’t we play a little game?”
“What do you want?” I rush. “She’s got the money on her. She can pay you back right now.”
Armando laughs bitterly but offers his hand. Mom shoves the purse at him and he peers inside, greedy eyes assessing. “This might be half of what you owe me, Virginia.”
“I can get more.”
“Time’s up.”
I always thought it would be the blood loss that would be my mom’s ruin, but it’s not, it’s the gambling. It’s what that need to play––the addiction––has led her to do. It’s this man who has no qualms about hurting her, maybe killing her, maybe killing me too. Hugo grips Mom’s upper arm and she winces.
Armondo goes on, “How about your daughter makes a bet for you. Beginner’s luck, right?” He chuckles. “If she wins, I’ll take the money and we’ll call it even. If she loses. . .”
“What?” Mom’s voice is barely a whisper.
“Then you both die.”
Hugo shakes his head adamantly. “You can’t touch the girl. She belongs to the vampires now. She’s ours.”
Panicked, Mom shoots me a questioning look that I can’t answer.
Armondo leans back and curls his lip before taking a long drink of his liquor. He sets the drink back down and assesses the three of us. “Fine. Virginia’s life then.”
“I won’t do it.” I shake my head and plead. “Please, I can’t do this. Don’t make me do this.” I’m not a gambler, I hate it, and to have to gamble my mother’s life is out of the question. It’s so loud in here, so busy and lively, that nobody seems to notice our little group conversation. If they did, would they care?
“If you don’t place a bet, then I’ll kill her. This is her only chance.” He means it. I have the wound on the back of my head as proof. His henchman was just a taste of what he’s capable of and to think that he’ll hurt my mom sends me over the edge. I lock my knees so I don’t weaken and glare daggers at the man.
Hugo raises an eyebrow at me. “Sweetheart, you better do
what the man says.”
The next bet has come and gone and the little white ball is spinning around the wheel again. I watch it, my stomach going hollow. It slows and lands on the green double zero. Everyone around the table groans as the winnings are swooped up by the dealer. This is the fail-safe for the casino, the assurance that more often than not, the house wins.
“It’s a simple game of odds,” Mom whispers to me, her eyes pleading with me to give her this chance. “Make the safest bet.”
Hugo shoves her against the table and she cries out. “No more talking.”
Is there such a thing as a “safe bet”? I don’t think so. The whole point is the risk. But I take the rolled wad of money and set it on the table. The dealer calls something out and the pit boss zips over. It’s the same vampire from my first run-in weeks ago. His eyes light with recognition, but this time he doesn’t tell me to leave. He nods to the dealer who counts out the cash and replaces it with a stack of pink chips.
“Double the money,” Armondo says. “You have options. You can put it on a number and if you win, the payout is thirty-five to one. I’ll let you keep the extra. Doesn’t that sound nice? You’d be a wealthy woman. Or you could play the outside thirds, giving yourself a third share of the spoils if you win there. That’s a lot of money too.”
“Or I can play it safe and take the two to one odds.” I move the pile onto the red rectangle. It reminds me of blood and vampires and all the reasons why we’re here tonight. At the last second, I switch it to black.
